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The Curious Bag
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Also known as age spots, sun spots or liver spots, the most common benign (non-cancerous) brown spots appear on skin that has been exposed to the sun over time, such as the face, arms, upper chest and backs of hands.
Cause
The sun's ultraviolet rays spur pigment-producing skin cells, or melanocytes, to produce more color or pigment, called melanin.
Treatments
Spots can be lightened by applying commercial bleaching creams or home remedies, such as lemon juice. If the spots are unsightly, options include chemical peels, laser resurfacing or intense pulsed light therapy.
Risks
Brown spots can indicate an increased risk of skin cancer. Any change in the size, shape or appearance of spots, or growth of new spots, should be checked by a dermatologist.
Leg Spots
Diabetes can cause a harmless condition called diabetic dermopathy, which may be mistaken for age spots. These often appear on the fronts of the legs.
Symptoms
Use the ABCD rule to identify a spot or mole that might indicate melanoma, an especially dangerous form of skin cancer: Asymmetry (irregular mole), Border (ragged edges), Color (the color may include several shades) and Diameter (larger than a pencil eraser).
Source:
Diabetes.org: Spots and Diabetes
American Cancer Society: Skin Cancer Detection
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